Solon

and they were called Hippada Telountes, since they paid a Knight’s tax; the members of the third class, whose yearly increase amounted to two hundred measures (wet and dry together), were called Zeugitai. All the rest were called Thetes, they were not allowed to hold any office, but took part in the administration only as members of the assembly and as jurors. This last privilege seemed at first of no moment, but afterwards proved to be of the very highest importance, since most disputes finally came into the hands of these jurors. For even in cases which Solon assigned to the magistrates for decision, he allowed also an appeal to a popular court when any one desired it.

Besides, it is said that his laws were obscurely and ambiguously worded on purpose to enhance the power of the popular courts. For since parties to a controversy could not get satisfaction from the laws, the result was that they always wanted jurors to decide it, and every dispute was laid before them, so that they were in a manner masters of the laws.

And he himself claims the credit for this in the following words—

1. For to the common people I gave so much power as is sufficient,
2. Neither robbing them of dignity, nor giving them too much,
3. And those who had power, and were marvelously rich,
4. Even for these I contrived that they suffered no harm
5. I stood with a mighty shield in front of both classes,
6. And suffered neither of them to prevail unjustly.